News & Articles
GIFT OF THE YEAR 2019 FINALISTS ANNOUNCED
It’s the news that the industry has been waiting for, The Giftware Association is excited to announce the finalists for the 2019 Gift of the Year competition.
The lucky finalists have made their way through two judging stages since the competition opened in July at Harrogate Home and Gift. The initial online stage in December and the much talked about live judging day held in Birmingham’s illustrious jewellery quarter behind closed doors In January, which is attended by judges from Dulex, John Lewis, The National Gallery and industry press gathered to inspect the shortlisted products in person.
From over 1100 products and 20 categories. The judges have had to made some tough decisions to come up with their final choices. The judges present were impressed with the quality and variation of the products on display, stating that this is probably the best year yet in terms of product ranges and with some categories being hard to judge and choose as there was such a high standard of product.
Judges (and GA Staff) from L-R: Henri Davis, Independent Retail Advisor; Nathaniel Mobbs, The National Gallery; Sarah Ward, CEO of the Giftware Association; Chris Workman, GA Marketing and PR Manager; Louise Welsby, Buy From Shropshire; Stacey Foster, GA Membership Manager; Lily Henderson, Find me a gift.com; Simone Rose, GA Events Manager; Heidi Schramli, Detail retail; Louisa Stott, The Shakespeare Birthplace Trust; Jenny Spivey, Sense of Retail; Marianne Shillingford, Dulux; Charlotte Cowell, Gifts and Greetings Review; Sue Marks; Max Publishing; Mike Cook, Choice Marketing; Tabi Marsh, Heritage Gift Shop; Sara Allbright, John Lewis
Sarah Ward, CEO of The Giftware Association said: “Today has been amazing, as always, to see so many products all together representing all corners of the giftware industry. Its also nice to see amongst the well-known names, a lot of smaller companies, that my team and I have spoken to over the many shows that we have attended the past year. Gift of the Year continues to go from success to success with more entries and variation than ever this year, we will continue to grow this competition as well as looking at our new consumer competition”
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The category winners will be announced at a ceremony after the first day of Spring Fair on Sunday 3rd February. Where the winners will be announced and the judges choice award will also be announced too. The Awards ceremony will take place in Hall 20 starting at 6.30 and is free for anyone to attend, as an all inclusive event to celebrate the best in the home and giftware world.
Huge congratulations to all the finalist, and those that were lucky enough to be shortlisted and also a huge thank you to those that entered the competition, we will see you next year…
Onto the finalists, we are excited to announce the following category finalists are
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| Category | ||
| R Space Lamp | Gingko Electronics Ltd | |
| Home Fragrance | Bitter Orange & Ylang Ylang | The Recycled Candle Company Ltd |
| Kasper Aroma diffuser | Europium World (UK) Ltd | |
| Aromatherapy Range | purbeck candles | |
| Hot Novelty | Affirmators | Abrams & Chronicle Books |
| NEW - Giant Handwarmers | Cozy Time Ltd | |
| Weird Crushes | Bubblegum Stuff Ltd | |
| Weird Things Humans Search For | Big Potato Games | |
| Kitchen & Dining | BollyNice range | Apples to Pears |
| Gin Time | Dartington Crystal (Torrington) Ltd | |
| T&G Ocean | T & G Woodware Ltd | |
| Pet Gift | Fetch this gift | Leather Guild |
| Pet Party Kit | Talking Tables | |
| The Bark Slice | The Sugar Shed | |
| Under £10 | Cake in a Card | Bakedin |
| Chocolate Box After Dinner Quiz | The Lagoon Group | |
| Suck It | Really Good Ltd | |
| Whisky Experience | Dartington Crystal (Torrington) Ltd |